Owner/Director

Greetings!!

My name is Margie Bulger, owner and director of Playworks Early Childhood Program. Originally from California, my work with children began in 1991 at Lindsey Air Station's Child Development Center in Wiesbaden Germany. I was ecstatic that I was accepted for a job and would be paid to play with children! Fascinated with the young children I worked with, I was enlightened to the unique differences between children and their family lifestyles.

As a former roller skating instructor, with a love of teaching young children, I learned that fostering children's growth and development in an early childhood setting is quite different than the "coaching" methods I learned and practiced at the roller rinks. It was at this point in my life, where I began setting goals to continue my education and training in early childhood.

I've lived here in San Antonio since the fall of 1996. I have two boys, Calvin was born in Guam; Nicholas here at Wilford Hall Medical Center.

After Nicholas' arrival, I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise my children while continuing my love of teaching. I registered my home for childcare services as Playworks Family Child Care. This move also gave me the opportunity to spend time with my children during the day, while continuing my education in the evenings.

In the fall of 2003 I began working on a business plan for opening a childcare center, while working out of the home in the afternoons with school age children. Playworks Child Development and Youth Program opened January 25, 2006.

Through my many encounters in the childcare industry, I've learned though no program will meet 100% of every families needs, quality childcare is hard to find. State and federal support for quality in childcare is on a slow rise; however, it will be many years before the industry is respected, as necessary. As a former AF Director of mine stated: If a parent receives an uncooked hamburger from McDonalds, they may call management and complain; but chances are they will go back. If something happens to their child while in care at a childcare center, this will never be forgotten; thus, the service of childcare is a critical one that demands quality and cries out for more respect & attention. With this in mind, and the fantastic team of employees we have here at Playworks, I'm excited about the quality of care and education the children at Playworks will be receiving.

I look forward to spending time with each of you, and hope the childcare experiences your children encounter at Playworks hold a special place in their childhood memories as they grow and move on.

Educational Accomplishments:
1993	Germany
USAF Child Dev. Certification Modules
1994	Germany
Child Development Assoc Credential:
1998	San Antonio College
AAS Child Development:
2003	SWT San Marcos
BAAS; emphasis ECD

Practice in Early Childhood Development:
1991-1993	Lindsey AS, Germany
Preschool Assistant
1993-1994	Sembach AB, Germany
Before and After School Care Teacher
1995-1996	Andersen AFB, Guam
Preschool Teacher
1997-1998	Kelly AFB
Summer Camp Counselor & Pre-K Teacher
1998-2005	San Antonio, TX
Registered Family Child Care Provider
2006-present	San Antonio, TX
Playworks Owner/Director

Other Accomplishments/Services:
2000
Registered Child Care Trainer:
	Smart Start for Teachers/FSA, San Antonio
Nationally Accredited Home Child Care:
	National Association for Family Child Care
2001
CDA Advisor
	Council for Early Childhood Recognition, Washington DC
Accreditation Validator/Observer
	National Association for Family Child Care
Mentor, Family Child Care Accreditation:
	Tri-Board Child Care Association, San Antonio
TX Rising 4-Star CCDS FCC Vendor:
	Child Care Delivery Services San Antonio
2004
Mentor, Kindergarten Readiness Project
	Family Service Association, San Antonio
2005
TX Registered Child Care Trainer
	TX Head Start State Collaboration; UTHSC-Houston
2006
Director Qualification
	Texas Department of Family and Protective Services